The CFL’s resident bogeyman, Marcel Desjardins, is set to invoke havoc on the three-down game as we know it.

Lurking in the shadows all season, the Ottawa RedBlacks GM will step into the spotlight at the CFL expansion draft on Dec 16 and conduct a strategic, league-sanctioned raid of the eight existing clubs.

At age 47, Desjardins is a proven football man who apprenticed for 13 years under the esteemed Jim Popp in Montreal. He oversaw the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for two seasons in 2006-07 as general manager. He has three Grey Cup rings.

So Desjardins has no need for our advice. We get that.

Nevertheless, we offer up this humble suggestion.

In a perfect world, if the stars align, Desjardins and his Ottawa RedBlacks should target two specific quarterbacks: Zach Collaros and Kevin Glenn.

First off, Desjardins should negotiate hard and heavy with the Toronto Argonauts to trade for Collaros before the draft with an eye to signing the up-and-comer to a long-term deal.

A pending free agent, Collaros will not come cheap. His body of work in September guarantees a solid payday.

He’s worth the investment.

In four starts for the injured Ricky Ray, Collaros led the Argos to four consecutive come-from-behind victories on the road. In that span, he completed 90 of 140 attempts (64.3 per cent) with eight touchdowns and three interceptions.

Only 25, Collaros is what they call a gamer — a master of the improv. When the pocket breaks down, his athleticism takes over.

The University of Cincinnati product could start Day 1 for Ottawa, no questions asked.

The 34-year-old is the perfect candidate for the position. Want proof? Look at Glenn’s resume in his two seasons as the so-called “backup” in Calgary.

The CFL journeyman led the Stamps to a Grey Cup appearance in 2012, only to open 2013 as the caddy to starter Drew Tate.

Stepping in for Tate in Week 3, Glenn has gone 191-of-284 (67.3 per cent) for 2,308 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. In spite of a rash of injuries, the Stamps (12-3) hold a four-point cushion in the race for first in the West Division.

In spite of such numbers, the Stamps really have no choice but to protect 23-year-old Bo Levi Mitchell — the most promising young quarterback in the land. Barring a trade, that exposes both Glenn and Drew Tate for pickup by Ottawa.

A quiet leader, Glenn is happy to play whatever role he is assigned (although fiercely confident in his abilities as a starter). Through 13 CFL seasons, the Detroit native has seen pretty much everything on the crazy three-down circuit.

Who better to steer the RedBlacks through the inevitable ups and downs of life on an expansion team in a city that deserves so much better than the farce of the dearly-departed Renegades (2002-2005).

You’re welcome, Mr. Desjardins. Happy to be of service.

Short yardage . . .

A Stampeder victory over Edmonton Friday combined with a B.C. Lions win Saturday in Saskatchewan Saturday would give Calgary a bye to the Western Final . . . Congrats to Stampeder radio play-by-play voice Mark Stephen on his coming induction into the media wing of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame . . . Toronto QB Ricky Ray finally threw his first interception of the season on his 223rd pass Monday in a 24-18 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats . . . Blue Bombers RB Will Ford looks like a keeper, but he is free to test the open market this winter as a free agent. It’s been that kind of year in Winnipeg . . . Former Pro Bowl alternate Stefan Logan just might be a saviour for the B.C. Lions as a returner and running back. But to blame the woes of the B.C. ground game on Andrew Harris is foolhardy, especially given the blocking woes up front.

Game balls:

Offence: Calgary RB Jon Cornish. This is becoming repetitive. In a routine stellar performance, Cornish rips off 15 carries for 130 yards and a touchdown in a 40-26 victory over the B.C. Lions. Also chips in with three catches for 35 yards. Breaks his own record for most rushing yards by a Canadian in a single season (1,545 with three games to go.)

Defence: Edmonton LB Rennie Curran: One of the CFL’s most intriguing personalities, Curran dominates in place of the injured J.C. Sherritt with 11 defensive tackles and an interception in a 14-9 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. At 24, Curran has already written his published autobiography. If this continues, the former Tennessee Titan will need to add another chapter on his rein in Canada.

Special-teams: Calgary KR Clifton Smith: The man they call Peanut introduces himself to the Canadian Football League in style. In his first game north of the border, the former Pro Bowler returns five punts for 73 yards and four kickoffs for 115 yards.

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CFL Point After: Ottawa RedBlacks should choose Collaros and Glenn in expansion draft

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